Game of chance using patterns of symbols having at least two defining criteria

ABSTRACT

A casino game of chance utilizes a short deck of cards having only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards. After receiving a wager from a player, a five-card hand is dealt to the player from the short deck of cards. The player is permitted to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards. The wager is then resolved according to the five-card hand. In one playing mode, multiple short decks of cards are configured from multiple conventional decks of cards, where each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic. In this context, the payout may be multiplied if the five-card hand includes cards with matching distinguishing characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application Ser.No. 09/966,070, filed Oct. 1, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Patent application Ser. No. 09/437,238, filed Nov. 10, 1999, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,336,860, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to games of chance and, moreparticularly, to games of chance defining winning patterns of symbolshaving at least two defining criteria, which patterns are randomlygenerated.

[0004] With the expansion of casino gaming, the trend toward machinegames rather than table games and the attraction of video games overtraditional slot reel games, there has been a growth in demand for newvideo casino games. The majority of these games, however, have manysimilarities to traditional slot reel games and/or other video casinogames.

[0005] Secondary screens with bonus features or games within games havebecome popular. The secondary bonus games reduce the win frequency andpayoff in the primary game to enable an extra payoff in the secondarygame. Multi-line games have also become popular, wherein, for example,all visible horizontal lines may be played rather than a single middleline. Other lines such as diagonals may also offer payoffs. Multi-lineplay in a video poker format is described in, for example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,823,873 and 5,732,950. Multi-line play allows a hand to be playedon multiple lines with the subsequent draw as in original video pokerapplying to all hands. All multi-line games require multiple credits toplay; that is, to play a three-line game for a maximum of five units perline requires fifteen credits, being three times the number of creditsto play the traditional single line. Whilst the majority of players mayplay a multi-line game in the same monetary value denomination as asingle line game, some players may trade down to a lower denomination,which is undesirable to the casino operator. Additionally, withmulti-line play, the actual hit frequency increases although the winfrequency may be lower. When a player with fifteen credits has twowinning lines paying five credits each, the result is that there isactually a loss of five credits. In single line play, a partial losssituation could not occur as the minimum winning result is a return ofthe full five credits.

[0006] The mathematics of gaming dictate that where hit frequencyincreases, payoffs must decrease, therefore, game volatility isaffected. Volatility is the comparative relationship between highpayoffs, low payoffs and losses. A high volatility offers prospects of apositive result and may attract a more serious gambler, whereas limitedvolatility may attract a player wishing to pass the time.

[0007] Both multi-line games and secondary bonus games are thus notnecessarily as attractive to traditional players.

[0008] Strip deck stud poker is a popular player versus player game. Instrip deck stud poker, a poker game is played with typically one butpossibly more decks of cards formed by modifying conventional decks ofcards. Typically, the conventional deck of cards is modified by removingparticular cards from the deck, such as for example all cards having aface value of six and lower, thus leaving only sevens and higher.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] With the modes of play according to the present invention, thegame of chance such as a modified poker game is played using symbolshaving two or more defining criteria. For example, playing card symbolshave two criteria, being rank and suit. These and other criteria such ascard shape and card color can be combined to create innovative modes ofplay. Although suitable as a table game, the game is preferably playedin a dedicated unit with displayed informational and promotionalmaterial, which may be shown on a video display or other screens. Theactual game is played on the video display via a video game unit that isprogrammed via computer software. Such a configuration is particularlysuited for a casino slot format. After establishing credits within anyof the customary prepayment formats and determining the denomination ofcredits, if applicable, the player is ready to participate in the game.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of playinga game of chance includes the steps of (a) configuring a short deck ofcards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventionaldeck of cards; (b) receiving a wager from a player; (c) dealing afive-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards; (d) enablingthe player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding numberof additional cards; and (e) resolving the wager according to thefive-card hand.

[0011] Step (e) may be practiced by taking the wager or paying a payoutbased on a poker ranking of the five-card hand. In this context, step(e) is further practiced by taking the wager when the poker ranking isless than a predetermined ranking, such as a Straight. Step (a) may bepracticed by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multipleconventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks ofcards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein step(e) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a first multiplier if thefive-card hand comprises cards with matching distinguishingcharacteristics. Alternatively, each of the multiple short decks ofcards may have two distinguishing characteristics, wherein step (e) isfurther practiced by multiplying the payout by the first multiplier ifthe five-card hand comprises cards matching a first of the twodistinguishing characteristics; multiplying the payout by a secondmultiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching a second ofthe two distinguishing characteristics; and multiplying the payout by athird multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching both ofthe two distinguishing characteristics. The third multiplier may be acombination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier.Preferably, the two distinguishing characteristics comprise card colorand card shape.

[0012] The payout preferably increases with higher poker rankings.

[0013] In another operating mode, step (b) may be practiced by accruingfunds for a progressive jackpot component, wherein step (e) is practicedby paying a progressive jackpot if the five-card hand has a pokerranking higher than a predetermined jackpot ranking, such as Royal Flushand/or Five of a Kind. The jackpot payout for Royal Flush may be limitedto a specific deck, or jackpot payout for Five of a Kind may be limitedto a specific rank, such as Ace. Moreover, the step of accruing fundsmay be practiced by allocating a portion of the wager or by receiving aseparate jackpot wager from the player.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method ofplaying a poker game is provided using at least one short deck of cards,the short deck of cards being configured from a conventional deck ofcards using only N different cards in each suit. The method includes thesteps of (a) receiving a wager from a player; (b) dealing a player handfrom the short deck of cards, the player hand having N cards; (c)enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw acorresponding number of additional cards; and (d) resolving the wageraccording to the player hand.

[0015] In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, anapparatus is configured for playing the game of chance according to theinvention. The apparatus includes a display, a player interface forreceiving player input, and a processor configured to effect game play.The apparatus may be configured for play over a global network.

[0016] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a game ofchance includes structure for carrying out the method of the invention,and another exemplary embodiment utilizes the short deck or deckswithout the draw option. In this embodiment, a matrix of cards may bedealt or displayed, wherein the player hand includes multiple handsdefined according to lines of the matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure effectinggame play according to the apparatus of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an exemplary display for illustrating the game conceptaccording to the invention; and

[0020]FIG. 3 is another exemplary display for illustrating the gameconcept according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the components of avideo game unit 10 configured or programmed with software for playingthe game according to the invention. The software and programming of thegame unit for carrying out the games according to the invention do notform part of the present invention and will thus not be furtherdescribed. Those of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate variousknown means for such software and programming, and the invention is notmeant to be limited to any particular means.

[0022] The game unit 10 includes a display 12, a player interface 14,and circuitry 16 for effecting game play and including structure forrandomly generating patterns of symbols according to the presentinvention. The processing circuit 16 effects game play according to therules of the game and resolves wagers based on a player's hand of cardsand a comparison with established winning poker rankings.

[0023] The general concepts according to the invention will be firstdescribed in conjunction with an application to a symbol representationof conventional dice. As shown in FIG. 2, the dice D are comprised ofsix-sided cubes with each side having a numerical value of 1-6,respectively, shown as spots in a square. Each die is preferably alsocolored, and four or more different colors may be provided. The dicesymbol representation in the following examples is exemplary, and thoseof ordinary skill in the art will contemplate variations of corefeatures according to the invention with or without the dicerepresentations. The description is thus for exemplary purposes, and theinvention is not meant to be limited to the described application.

[0024] The processor 16 drives the display 12 to display a pattern ofsymbols, such as the 4×6 matrix of dice symbols illustrated in FIG. 2.Payoff scales, rules and promotional material may also be displayed whenthe game is not being played. Upon commencing the game, play credits areestablished by a player by any suitable method including either coin orbill insertion or player card methodology via the player interface 14.Once a playing mode is established, the player activates the game viathe player interface 14, and the display simulates a dice “roll” througha random number generation sequence of the appropriate number of,twenty-four in this example, different possibilities until stopping at arandomly generated resulting pattern. If the resulting pattern matchesone of the winning patterns, the player is awarded credits according tothe payout schedules for the selected game. Exemplary rankings ofcombination structures and winning patterns within each group are asfollows: One Pair Three of a Kind Four of a Kind Five of a Kind Six of aKind Two Pair Three Pair Three of a Kind and a Pair Three of a Kind andThree of a Kind Four of a Kind and a Pair Straight 1 2 3 4 5 6 in anyorder Flush all six the same color Straight Flush 1 2 3 4 5 6 in anyorder all in the same color Sequential Straight Flush 1 2 3 4 5 6 inorder all in the same color

[0025] The lowest possible hand is one pair as a hand without a pairwould automatically be a straight. Therefore, there may not be payoffsawarded on some of the lower ranked hands such as one pair, two pair andthree of a kind. The payout scales vary for each game and are generallybased on the probability of achieving a particular winning pattern.

[0026] In one particular operating mode of the present invention, theprinciples incorporating multiple defining criteria is applied in avariant of conventional poker. In this particular poker variant, a shortdeck of cards is configured using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings andAces from a conventional deck of cards. After receiving at least a firstwager from a player, a multi-card hand is dealt to the player from theshort deck of cards. Preferably, the multi-card hand is a five-cardhand. With the short deck of cards, a Pair is the lowest possible handas a hand without a pair would automatically be a Straight.Subsequently, the player may be permitted to discard one or more cardsand draw a corresponding number of additional cards in an attempt toachieve a premium hand. The player wager is then resolved according tothe five-card hand. That is, the wager may be taken or a payout may bepaid based on a poker ranking of the five-card hand. In this context,the wager is taken when the poker ranking is less than a predeterminedranking, such as a Straight. In an alternative operating mode, the drawoption is omitted.

[0027] In applying the multiple defining criteria concept to the shortdeck poker variant described above, multiple short decks of cards may beconfigured from multiple conventional decks of cards, where each of themultiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishingcharacteristic, such as card color and/or shape. Conventional playingcards in and of themselves have two defining criteria, being suit andrank. Providing multiple decks with different colors or shapes creates athird criteria, and providing multiple decks with different colors anddifferent shapes results in four defining criteria. With the addition ofthe third or fourth defining criteria, the game may be embodied withoutthe draw option. In this context, like the dice symbol embodimentdiscussed above, the “dealt” hands may be encompassed in a matrixdisplay of card images from the short deck, with multiple player “hands”each being defined by a line (horizontal, vertical, pattern, etc.) inthe matrix. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, a 5×5 matrix of cardsmay be displayed, and the game played in a manner similar to the formatdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0028] In the short deck poker game discussed above, a payout could bemultiplied, for example, by a first multiplier, if the five-card handcomprises cards with matching distinguishing characteristics. That is,if one or more of the player's five-card hand(s) a has a poker rankingexceeding the predetermined ranking such that the wager is a winningwager, and if the five-card hand is made up of cards with matchingdistinguishing characteristics, such as shape or color, the payout ismultiplied by the first multiplier. In the embodiment where the decks ofcards have two distinguishing characteristics, such as shape and color,still additional options for multiplying the payout may be provided. Forexample, the payout may be multiplied by a first multiplier if thefive-card hand includes cards matching a first of the two distinguishingcharacteristics, such as color. Alternatively, the payout may bemultiplied by a second multiplier if the five-card hand includes cardsmatching a second of the two distinguishing characteristics, such asshape. Finally, the payout may be multiplied by a third multiplier ifthe five-card hand includes cards matching both of the twodistinguishing characteristics. The third multiplier may be acombination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier.

[0029] Of course, according to the payout scale, the payout increaseswith higher poker rankings. Preferred poker rankings using a singleshort deck and multiple short decks are as follows: Single Deck MultiDeck Pair Pair 2 Pair 2 Pair 3 of a Kind 3 of a Kind Straight StraightFull House Flush Four of a Kind Full House Royal Flush Four of a KindRoyal Flush Five of a Kind Five of a Color Five of a Shape Five of aColor and Shape

[0030] As an additional component of the short deck poker variantaccording to the present invention, funds may be accrued for aprogressive jackpot component, wherein a progressive jackpot is paid outif the five-card hand has a poker ranking higher than a predeterminedjackpot ranking such as a Royal Flush and/or Five of a Kind. Theprogressive jackpot may accrue funds from multiple players over timeuntil the progressive jackpot is won, whereupon the entire jackpot or aportion thereof is paid out, and the accrual of wagers is restarted. Thefunds may be accrued from a portion of the player wager or alternativelyby a separate jackpot wager from the player. In the game according tothe invention using multiple short decks of cards, each having at leastone distinguishing characteristic, the predetermined jackpot ranking maybe Royal Flush with cards having matching distinguishingcharacteristics. Alternatively, the predetermined jackpot ranking can beRoyal Flush with cards of a specific deck determined according to itsdistinguishing characteristic, such as the “blue” deck for example,and/or Five of a Kind of a specific rank, such as Ace for example. Withthese higher criteria, instances of a jackpot payout are significantlyreduced, thereby ultimately resulting in higher jackpots, which may beperceived by the players as an advantage and thereby draw more playersto the game.

[0031] As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, the short deck ofcards uses only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventionaldeck of cards. With these five cards of their respective suits, it ispreferable to deal a five-card hand to the player. Of course, those ofordinary skill in the art may contemplate alternative variations of thisconcept using more or fewer different cards in each suit. In each case,however, it is preferable to deal the same number of cards in the playerhand as the number of different cards in each suit in the short deck.

[0032] With the methodology according to the invention, numerous gamesand wagering opportunities can be provided for added excitement to acasino game of chance. Using a short deck of cards provides players witha sense that high poker rank hands can be readily achieved. Moreover, byincorporating one or more additional defining criteria, payouts can beincreased for additional player satisfaction. Still further, aprogressive jackpot component with the possibility of an exceedinglyhigh payoff adds excitement.

[0033] While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A method of playing a game of chance comprising: (a) configuring ashort deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces froma conventional deck of cards; (b) receiving a wager from a player; (c)dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards; (d)enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw acorresponding number of additional cards; and (e) resolving the wageraccording to the five-card hand.
 2. A method according to claim 1,wherein step (e) is practiced by taking the wager or paying a payoutbased on a poker ranking of the five-card hand.
 3. A method according toclaim 2, wherein step (e) is further practiced by taking the wager whenthe poker ranking is less than a predetermined ranking.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the predetermined poker ranking is aStraight.
 5. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (a) ispracticed by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multipleconventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks ofcards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein step(e) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a first multiplier if thefive-card hand comprises cards with matching distinguishingcharacteristics.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein each of themultiple short decks of cards has two distinguishing characteristics,and wherein step (e) is further practiced by: multiplying the payout bythe first multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching afirst of the two distinguishing characteristics, multiplying the payoutby a second multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching asecond of the two distinguishing characteristics, and multiplying thepayout by a third multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cardsmatching both of the two distinguishing characteristics.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the third multiplier is a combination ofthe first multiplier and the second multiplier.
 8. A method according toclaim 6, wherein the two distinguishing characteristics comprise cardcolor and card shape.
 9. A method according to claim 5, wherein the atleast one distinguishing characteristic is at least one of card colorand card shape.
 10. A method according to claim 2, wherein the payoutincreases with higher poker rankings.
 11. A method according to claim 1,wherein step (b) is practiced by accruing funds for a progressivejackpot component, and wherein step (e) is practiced by paying aprogressive jackpot if the five-card hand has a poker ranking higherthan a predetermined jackpot ranking.
 12. A method according to claim11, wherein the step of accruing funds is practiced by allocating aportion of the wager.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein thestep of accruing funds is practiced by receiving a separate jackpotwager from the player.
 14. A method according to claim 11, wherein thepredetermined jackpot ranking is at least one of Royal Flush or Five ofa Kind.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein step (a) ispracticed by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multipleconventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks ofcards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein thepredetermined jackpot ranking is Royal Flush with cards having matchingdistinguishing characteristics.
 16. A method according to claim 15,wherein the predetermined jackpot ranking is at least one of Royal Flushwith cards of a specific deck determined according to its distinguishingcharacteristic and Five of a Kind of a specific rank.
 17. A methodaccording to claim 16, wherein the specific rank is Ace.
 18. A method ofplaying a poker game using at least one short deck of cards, the shortdeck of cards being configured from a conventional deck of cards usingonly N different cards in each suit, the method comprising: (a)receiving a wager from a player; (b) dealing a player hand from theshort deck of cards, the player hand having N cards; (c) enabling theplayer to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number ofadditional cards; and (d) resolving the wager according to the playerhand.
 19. An apparatus configured for playing a game of chancecomprising a display, a player interface for receiving player input, anda processor configured to effect game play, the processor enabling: (a)configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kingsand Aces from a conventional deck of cards; (b) receiving a wager from aplayer; (c) dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deckof cards; (d) enabling the player to discard at least one card and drawa corresponding number of additional cards; and (e) resolving the wageraccording to the five-card hand.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 19,configured for play over a global network.
 21. A game of chancecomprising: means for configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens,Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards; meansfor receiving a wager from a player; means for dealing a five-card handto the player from the short deck of cards; means for enabling theplayer to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number ofadditional cards; and means for resolving the wager according to thefive-card hand.
 22. A method of playing a game of chance comprising: (a)configuring a short deck of cards using only N different cards in eachsuit from a conventional deck of cards; (b) receiving a wager from aplayer; (c) dealing a player hand from the short deck of cards, theplayer hand having N cards; (d) resolving the wager according to theplayer hand.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein step (d) ispracticed by taking the wager or paying a payout based on a pokerranking of the player hand.
 24. A method according to claim 23, whereinstep (a) is practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards frommultiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple shortdecks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, andwherein step (d) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a firstmultiplier if the player hand comprises cards with matchingdistinguishing characteristics.
 25. A method according to claim 24,wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has two distinguishingcharacteristics, and wherein step (d) is further practiced by:multiplying the payout by the first multiplier if the player handcomprises cards matching a first of the two distinguishingcharacteristics, multiplying the payout by a second multiplier if theplayer hand comprises cards matching a second of the two distinguishingcharacteristics, and multiplying the payout by a third multiplier if theplayer hand comprises cards matching both of the two distinguishingcharacteristics.
 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the thirdmultiplier is a combination of the first multiplier and the secondmultiplier.
 27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the twodistinguishing characteristics comprise card color and card shape.
 28. Amethod according to claim 24, wherein the at least one distinguishingcharacteristic is at least one of card color and card shape.
 29. Amethod according to claim 22, wherein step (a) is practiced byconfiguring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventionaldecks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has atleast one distinguishing characteristic.
 30. A method according to claim22, further comprising, after step (c) and before step (d), enabling theplayer to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number ofadditional cards.
 31. A method according to claim 22, wherein step (c)is practiced by dealing a matrix of cards.
 32. A method according toclaim 31, wherein step (a) is practiced by dealing an N×N matrix ofcards.
 33. A method according to claim 32, wherein N equals five.
 34. Amethod according to claim 33, wherein the player hand comprises multiplehands defined according to lines of the matrix, and wherein step (d) ispracticed for each of the multiple hands.
 35. A method according toclaim 31, wherein the player hand comprises multiple hands definedaccording to lines of the matrix, and wherein step (d) is practiced foreach of the multiple hands.